Share this Page

Paper Talk: Chelsea star asks to leave; Mahrez snub

Riyad Mahrez: Winger waving goodbye to Leicester?

Antonio Conte has a fight on his hands to keep one of his Chelsea strikers ahead of the new season, while the news gets worse for Leicester fans.

FRESH DOUBTS OVER COSTA FUTURE

Chelsea could be forced to bring in another striker during this transfer window with the Brazilian-born Spanish international Diego Costa linked with a return to his former club Atletico Madrid by the Daily Mail.

The 27-year-old was one of the main strugglers for the Blues in their forgettable 2015/16 campaign and was snubbed by Spain for Euro 2016 as a result.

He could now kick-start his career again back at Atleti, where he scored 64 goals in 135 games before leaving to join Chelsea in £32m deal.

Speculation has been fuelled further after club president Enrique Cerezo admitted that a new striker is top of Diego Simeone’s wishlist and specifically referenced the man who helped win Atletico Madrid win the La Liga title in 2014.

“We’re looking for a new striker, and we always like to get the biggest players we can,” Cerezo told Spanish newspaper Diario AS.

“[Costa] played for us for a few years and he’s a really good player, no one can deny that. I don’t know if Costa has spoken to [Antonio] Conte, but we’re working to hard bring the best players to Atleti.”

LEICESTER BRACED FOR MAHREZ EXIT

According to The Guardian, Algerian sensation Riyad Mahrez has also rejected a new bumper deal to stay at the King Power Stadium as the PFA Player of the Year wants a new challenge following Leicester’s title win last season.

The Foxes were reportedly ready to give Mahrez a new £80,000-a-week contract, but he has told his representatives that he still wishes to find a new club this summer, with Manchester United one of many admirers throughout Europe.